Khaberni - Scientists from Bonn University have reported that eating oats for two days can help lower cholesterol levels and support metabolic processes, with these effects lasting for several weeks.
According to Nature Communications, the study included 68 individuals suffering from metabolic syndrome, a combination of being overweight, high blood pressure, and disturbances in blood sugar and lipid levels. Over two days, participants consumed oats almost exclusively, resulting in a 10% reduction in bad cholesterol levels and an average weight loss of about 2 kilograms, along with reduced blood pressure. These effects lasted for up to six weeks.
Experts attribute these results to oats stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which produce substances affecting cholesterol metabolism. Ferulic acid regulates lipid levels, while the breakdown products of the amino acid histidine reduce the risk of insulin resistance, a major cause of diabetes.
Participants in the study consumed 300 grams of cooked oat flour with water, along with a small amount of fruit or vegetables, three times a day. The control group followed a low-calorie diet without oats, and the improvements were less pronounced. In contrast, a lighter and longer diet, which included 80 grams of oats daily, did not have any significant effect on cholesterol levels.
To prevent bias in evaluating the results, sampling of biological materials (blood and stool) and physiological measurements (blood pressure and weight) were conducted in a blinded manner, so that the researchers were unaware whether the samples came from participants in the experimental or control group.
Researchers conducted five assessments: the first before the diet change, the second immediately after two days of the oat regimen, and three more assessments after two weeks, four weeks, and six weeks. At each assessment, the team recorded key health indicators such as blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference, and body fat percentage, in addition to blood and stool samples. The researchers used similar protocols in the second study, where participants consumed 80 grams of oat flour daily for six weeks.
Researchers note that following a diet based on oat flour for a short period can alter the microbiome and metabolism, contributing to the reduction of elevated cholesterol and supporting vascular health.
